I know posting every mock you run through is fun, but we really need some proven linesmen. Not just for their ability, but also for their leadership and passing on past learned skills. With few exceptions, any coach will tell you it takes most OL rookies 2-3 years to genuinely be ready to start in the NFL. Do you really want to take a chance on drafting Greene, Scruggs and Patterson all over again and watching C.J. get hit this often for several more years? Any new rookies could be worse than Tomlinson for their first year or more, so we keep playing our old starters after spending all of that Draft capital. And who knows, Patterson and Scruggs could still turn out to be very serviceable, especially with new coaches and a new system.
Thank you! Some people want to draft all oline like that’s going to fix the problem. We’re just going to be in a worse situation. This is why I like the Tomlinson signing. Average to above average starter who’s a former pro bowler and doesn’t miss time that can start for a year. Teach the young guys until they take over in 2026. Would like one more G in FA and I’ll be happy with a G in the first or second.
I totally agree with you, one more average FA would be a vast improvement. Either an OG, or maybe now an OT and I'd be fairly confident moving forward. CJ impressed the League his first year with a slightly below average line. Combine that with the evasion skills he was forced to learn last season, we don't have to have the biggest names out there. Especially with our current cap. We just need some guys that can hold their block for a second or two longer. CJ can do the rest.
If this was the draft, would you feel more or less concerned headed into the season, even without further FA pickups? 31.Josh Simmons OT Ohio State 34.Donovan Jackson OG Ohio State 79.Jack Bech WR TCU 89.Jared Wilson OC Georgia 166.Jack Nelson OT Wisconsin 236.Phil Mafah RB Clemson 241.Gavin Bartholomew TE Pittsburgh
I was joking a tad about drafting 4 linemen. I know we're going to acquire help there. How many do you believe we'll draft? I think a tackle and a guard is possible. How about it?
They have shored up most areas of need leaving only the OL. Having the bulk of the OL on rookie contracts will help keep the team together over the next 3-4 years.
That's one reason for Nelson. If both work out, so much the better. But we'd have no chance of getting Simmons if there was no concern about his knee. Also Nelson spent time as a RG. He's versatile.
Agreed. I don't think we'll go after big names going forward. I think Nick loves the second tier guys because you don't have to pay them as much. I think he believes three B+ talents being better than a A and two Cs. If that makes sense. Which I don't necessarily have a problem with. I could also see it a different way. I could see drafting a OT that starts off playing G then move to OT after a year or two. This is what Laremy Tunsil did in Miami. Branden Albert was the starting LT and Laremy Tunsil at LG. Tytus Howard can play LT for us and Josh Simmons (or insert name) can play LG. We could also draft a OT or G in the later rounds to develop and take over in a year or two. There's still a ton of options available and I have a ton of faith in Nick Caserio. He missed on Kenyon but you don't hit on every pick. I'm very excited.
There are many DAWGS available in the draft this year. This might have triggered Ryans and Caserio to take a chance on rookies with attitude after the interviews at the combine.
Josh Simmons is starting to be my top target at 25. We could use the Commanders 2026 2nd rounder to move up for Kelvin Banks, who's also starting to grow on me (thanks to @raining threes). I was only hoping for one G/T but with the additional 3rd rounder this year, I'd be happy with one of each. CJ needs another weapon though. Not a late round developmental weapon either. If we grab one of the two G/T I mentioned above, I would love Jayden Higgins. This is what I'd like to see: LT - Tytus Howard LG - Josh Simmons or Kelvin Banks C - Jarrett Patterson RG - Lakin Tomlinson or Juice Scruggs RT - Blake Fisher This isn't great but it's a start. Maybe draft Wyatt Milum or Dylan Fairchild in the 3rd. Simmons/Banks take over at LT in 2026 or 2027
My DAWG list for OL: (If they're NOT on the list, it just means there is no DAWG comment on the simulator or Draftbuzz. Will Campbell LT Armand Membou RT Tyler Booker OG Josh Simmons RT Grey Zabel OG/OC Aireontae Esery RT Cameron Williams RT Wyatt Milum LT/RT/LG/RG Marcus Mbow RG OC RT Tate Ratledge OG Jared Wilson OC Anthony Belton LT Logan Brown RT Jackson Slater LG Charles Grant LT Luke Kandra RG Jalen Rivers LG/LT Jack Nelson LT/RG
